Luther or James?

Luther thought the biblical book of James was theologically inferior because it was weak on justification by faith.  I think Luther was theologically inferior because he promoted a spirituality without justice or justification without justice.  This type of Protestant theology allowed ethnocentrism and oppression to run rampant, fueling colonialism and slavery in both north and south America.

By contrast, James exposed oppression -- the rich oppressing the poor.  James sharply rebuked the church which discriminated against the poor and favored the rich.

The James solution?  The church should combine faith and works of justice fueled by love.

What might a modern day expression of love, faith, works and justice look like?  Christian Community Development practiced by John Perkins in Mississippi or Jean Thomas in Haiti.

p.s. I also recommend you read a commentary on James by Elsa Tamez, entitled, The Scandalous Message of James: Faith without works is dead.